Brancusi, << brahng KOO zee, >> Constantin (1876-1957), was a Romanian-born sculptor. He attempted to simplify his sculptures to a basic abstract form, trying to eliminate unnecessary details. Brancusi concentrated on a few subjects, such as the egg, the bird in flight, and the human head and torso. He polished his bronze and marble sculptures to a luster to allow the play of light and reflection. His woodcarvings were inspired by Romanian folk carvings and have rougher surfaces.
Brancusi was born on Feb. 19, 1876, in Pestisani, in the Gorj district near Tirgu Jiu. He settled in Paris in 1904. Brancusi’s early realistic work shows the influence of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Brancusi then became inspired by the simplicity of African and prehistoric sculpture. By 1910, he had developed his famous style. He died on March 16, 1957.
